Pipe wrench



Sept. 19, 1933. .1. SLIZUS 1,927,719

PIPE WRENCH Filed March 23, 1952 HI'WH' 3 Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UN TED STATES PIPE WRENCH, Josephxslizus, Seatt1e,--Wash.-' Application "Mm-ch23, 1932. Serial'No. 600,783 1 1 Claim. (01. 81 99) This invention relates to wrenches and its general object is to provide a pipe wrench thatis automatic in its action which is accomplished --merely by movingthe handle, in one direction .to move .the jaws in gripping position, while movement of the handle in an opposite direction will release the same with the result the wrench can be used on various sizes of pipe and the like and in places inaccessible to pipe wrenches now generally employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench that includes a movable jaw that is spring pressed to retain the same in normal position, and the shank of the movable jaw is curved in a manner whereby the jaws cooperate to insure a positive gripping action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench of the character set forth, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacservice.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and-specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my wrench in use.

Figure 2 is a side elevation with the parts in normal position. v V

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the movable jaw member.

Figure 5 is a similar view of the spring for the movable jaw member.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 1 indicates the handle of my wrench which has formed therewith and extending from one end thereof a pair of spaced parallel arms 2 which constitute the stationary jaw member as will be apparent.

The arms incline slightly upwardly from their connection with the handle 1 and are provided with arcuate faces having teeth 3 exdirected at an inclination toward the handleI ture and extremely eiiicient in operation and and at the juncture of the armswiththe handle, a I provide a recess 4 for V the purpose' ofreceiving one .of the ends ofa leaf spring 5 that secured therein through the instrumentality of a screw bolt 6. The leaf spring-is directed $30 upwardly toward the outer -end, o f ,the arnis 2 for a purpose which will befpresentlyapparent.

. Th e movable jaw member for my wrench includes a shank 7 provided with an opening arranged adjacent one end thereof for the pur- 65 pose of receiving a pivot pin 8 to pivotally secure the movable jaw member to the stationary I jaw member, with the shank mounted for slidable movement between the arms of the stationary jaw member as shownlf Formed with 10 the opposite end of the shank '7 is a jaw 9 that is provided with 'a rounded outer surface and- I.

has formed with its inner surface teeth 10 that 1 are directed in a'direction opposite from that r of the teeth 13. From the point of juncture ofa'l the jaw 9 with its shank '1, it will be-noted that' the toothed surface thereof is susbtantially fiat for a portion of its length but the outer end of the toothed surface is directed upwardly.

The shank is curved to a slight degree from .13 its connection with the jaw 9, and to a greater degree towardthe pivot point thereof, and due to this curvature, it will be apparent that the toothed surface of the jaw 9 is disposed with respect to the toothed surface of the stationary .5

jaw member so astoi insure positive gripping action or cooperation between the respective jaws at all times regardless of they size of pipe,

or object worked upon.

The movable jaw member is normally re-- Q tained in open position through the instrumentality of. the leaf spring 5 which is provided with a slot 11 to receive the screw bolts 6 whereby the leaf spring can be adjusted, and the free end of the leaf spring is rolled upon itself as' at 12 for engagement with the curved upper surface, of the shank. By employing the rolled abutting end for the leaf spring, it will be apparent that very little friction will be present between the free end of the leaf spring and the 5100 shank, yet at the same time the leaf spring will act to hold the movable jaw member in open position as shown in Figure 2. Arranged in the path of the shank of the movable jaw membar is a pin 13 so as to limit the forward movement of the movable jaw member. From the above description and disclosure of the drawing, it will be obvious that I have provided a wrench that is primarily designed for work upon pipes and the like and by.em-' 1110 ploying the particular shape shank 7, particular shape jaw 9, as well as the particular shape stationaryjaw, my wrench is capable of a positive gripping engagement and is likewise capable of being used in places inaccessible to wrenches now generally employed. The leaf spring holds the movable jaw member in normal open position, so .as to allow the work to be; disposed between the jaws. 'Movement of the handle in a downward direction willcause the jaw members to move towardeach other. and in gripping engagement with the work as shown in Figure 3, and as the outer end portion of the jaw 9 is directed upwardly, the part worked upon cannot possibly slip from between the jaws. When the handle is moved in an opposite direction the jaws are moved to their normal position thereby releasing the part worked upon.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of m invention will be readily apparent.

-' changes in the construction and in the com- 'bination and arrangement of the several parts,

provided that such changes fall within the scope of the 1 appended claim.

- 'What'I claim is:

wrench of the character described comprising a handle,'spaced upwardly directed parallel I arranged arms formed with one end of said handle and constituting a stationary jaw having curved toothed surfaces on the lower portions of I the arms thereof with the teeth directed toward the handle, a movable jaw member including a shank pivotally secured between the arms of operation with the stationary jaw, the teeth of the movable jaw being directed in the direction opposite from that of the teeth of thestationary jaw, said handle having a recess at the. juncture of the spaced arms therewith and a spring means having one end slotted andsecured in the recess and its opposite end rolled upon itself and {engaging the upper surface of the shank adjacent its pivot point for holding the movable jaw JOSEPH sLIzUs. 

